Captain Planet Foundation

Ted Turner and the Birth of Modern African Broadcast Freedom

”You cannot change Africa selling bottled cola water, you must use information, Edward.”

Those were the intimate but powerful words Ted Turner shared with me which convinced me to join CNN in early 1992.

At the time, almost every African country had only one state-controlled broadcaster and news was heavily censored.

Governments largely controlled the flow of information and citizens had very few alternative voices.

Through CNN, we helped break that chain. Africans suddenly saw live global news, open debate, hard questioning and journalism that challenged authority. State broadcasters slowly became more public-focused, while across the continent many entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to step into the media space and build independent radio and television networks.

Much of the media freedom and broadcast diversity Africa enjoys today can be traced to Ted’s bold vision. From Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Nairobi, CNN became the benchmark and inspired a generation of African journalists and media owners.

Ted Turner did not just build a television network; he transformed global communication which also gave Africa a stronger voice on the world stage. For many of us privileged to work directly with him, his vision was life-changing. His legacy will continue to live on wherever journalism is used to empower people and expand freedom.

- Amb. Edward Boateng (Former Ghana Ambassador to China) worked with TBS/CNN and was Head of its Africa operations

Pictured in Photo (left to right): Lakeisha Sesay (CPF Board Member), Toluwalase Abiona (CPF Regional Coordinator, West Africa), Latoya Henry (CPF COO), Leesa Carter-Jones (CPF CEO), Ambassador Edward Boateng, Dr. Timothy Karikari (CPF Board Member), Ipato Kenta (CPF Regional Coordinator, East Africa)

We lost a giant today. Our real life superhero.

Ted Turner imagined a world where peace is our North Star, sustainability is our shared language, and collaboration, hope, and young people are our greatest tools in building a livable future for all.

In loving memory of Ted's vision, Captain Planet Foundation will continue to be his living legacy with purpose, gratitude and joy. The Power is Yours.

Our mighty Captain of bold do-gooding, you implored us to dream bigger, to do better. YOU were our favorite hello and now, our hardest goodbye.

Devoted leader, friend, father, grandfather, ally to all creatures and humanity, your boundless imagination and dazzling generosity filled our cups, our minds, our hearts, even our prairies.

While impossible to quantify the number of people and places you impacted and inspired the world over, a legacy like yours is deep across sectors, spaces, spheres – and species – even a frog and dinosaur named in your honor.

Thank you for being a love song for our planet and setting a new bar to inspire generations of stewards, leaders, and solution seekers.

Perhaps the best way we can honor you is to think of you when we marvel at our beautiful earthly home and consider our place amongst the stars. How are we called to its success and story? How will we continue to make you proud?

Yes, Ted, the future is in nimble hands and humbled hearts. We're going to get busy and heed your calling: “The Power is Ours” to "!

Godspeed.

https://www.tedturner.com/

Ted Turner Reserves Turner Foundation, Inc. Ted's Montana Grill Turner Endangered Species Fund and Turner Biodiversity Divisions Captain Planet Foundation United Nations Foundation Nuclear Threat Initiative Turner Ranch Outfitting

Thank you to The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) for featuring Planeteer Alliance Program Manager, Becca Bullen and COO, Latoya Henry for a great conversation about the importance of youth voices and how they make an impact - check out the full episode at the link in our bio!

Leadership!

Colombia announced a groundbreaking policy declaring its entire Amazon biome a reserve zone for renewable natural resources.

This effectively bans approval of any new oil exploration, hydrocarbon production, or large-scale mining projects across the region.

The protected area spans approximately 483,000 square kilometers—equivalent to the size of Sweden—and accounts for about 42% of Colombia's continental territory, representing roughly 7% of the entire Amazon rainforest basin.

The decision, highlighted during COP30 in Brazil, positions Colombia as the first Amazonian nation to safeguard its full share of the forest from new extractive industrial activities.

It halts progress on dozens of pending concessions, including 43 oil blocks and hundreds of mining requests that had not yet begun operations.

By prioritizing ecosystem preservation over fossil fuel and mineral exploitation, the measure aims to curb deforestation, protect unparalleled biodiversity, and maintain the rainforest's critical role in global climate regulation through carbon storage and water cycle stability.

This bold step under the Petro administration reflects a shift toward sustainable development and sets a potential precedent for other Amazon countries facing similar pressures from resource extraction.

Environmental advocates hail it as one of the most significant conservation victories in recent history, safeguarding irreplaceable habitats and indigenous territories for future generations while contributing to planetary efforts against climate change.